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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bulb · plane · pass · wave · coach · foot · fan · arm

  1. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. arm — a part of something
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. foot — a measure
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. bulb — for light
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. pass — a permit
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. coach — pulled by horses
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. wave — with your hand
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. plane — a tool
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. bulb — for light

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com